5 common app essay mistakes to stop doing, like, yesterday

Summary

Kevin Zensei, a professional college counselor and YouTuber, shares essential tips to avoid the five most common Common App essay mistakes. He advises focusing on core themes, avoiding resume dumps, maintaining a problem-solution ratio, avoiding abrupt 'Eureka' moments, and steering clear of cliché reflections. Kevin also offers editing services through his website, www.elevated.school, to help students enhance their essays and improve their college application chances.

Takeaways

• 😀 Kevin Zensei is a professional college counselor with a background in Exeter and Yale, and he has helped many students get into their dream schools.
• 📚 His students come from diverse backgrounds and have been accepted into Ivy League and top 20 schools, highlighting his broad experience.
• ✍️ The script discusses the five most common Common App essay mistakes, emphasizing the importance of avoiding these to improve application success.
• 🎻 The first mistake is 'packing everything' into the personal statement, where Kevin advises focusing on one or two key aspects instead of trying to mention every achievement.
• 📋 The second mistake is 'resume dump', where students repeat their activities and awards in the essay, which is redundant and not insightful.
• 🚫 Kevin warns against cliché topics and suggests focusing on personal growth or unique perspectives rather than standard achievements.
• 🔄 The third mistake is the 'problem-solution ratio', where students should spend no more than a third of the essay on the problem and more on solutions and reflections.
• 🏆 He mentions that significant obstacles can be an exception, but still advises focusing on solutions and contributions rather than the problem itself.
• 💡 The fourth mistake is the 'Eureka problem', where students abruptly shift from problem to solution without showing the process of getting there.
• 🎨 To fix this, Kevin suggests introducing a secondary problem and detailing the steps taken to overcome both, demonstrating perseverance.
• 🤔 The fifth mistake is 'cliche one-dimensional reflections', which he advises to avoid by combining interesting values and presenting a unique perspective.
• 🛠️ Kevin offers professional essay editing services through his website, www.elevated.school, for students seeking help in refining their essays.

Q & A

Who is Kevin Zensei?

Kevin Zensei is a professional college counselor, an Exeter and Yale graduate, a YouTuber, a great dancer, and the person who has edited hundreds of college essays, helping students get into their dream schools.

What is the main topic of Kevin Zensei's video?

The main topic of Kevin Zensei's video is the five most common Common App essay mistakes and how to avoid them.

What is the first mistake Kevin Zensei mentions in the Common App essay?

The first mistake is packing everything into the personal statement, trying to talk about every activity or award, which is not necessary and can detract from the essay's focus.

Why should students not re-explain their awards and achievements in the Common App essay?

Students should not re-explain their awards and achievements because it can come off as arrogant and cliché, and the essay should highlight experiences that are unique and not found elsewhere in the application.

What is the 'problem-solution ratio' that Kevin Zensei discusses?

The 'problem-solution ratio' refers to the balance between discussing the problem (no more than a third of the essay), the solution (at least forty to fifty percent), and reflection (twenty to thirty percent) in the Common App essay.

What should students focus on in their essays according to Kevin Zensei?

Students should focus on their personal growth, leadership experience, and demonstrated solutions, rather than solely on the problems they faced or their achievements.

What is the 'Eureka problem' that Kevin Zensei warns against?

The 'Eureka problem' is when a student abruptly shifts from the problem to the solution, making it seem like they suddenly figured everything out, which can sound unbelievable and unimpressive.

How can students avoid the 'Eureka problem' in their essays?

To avoid the 'Eureka problem', students should explain that there was no overnight solution and detail the steps or measures they took over time, possibly introducing a second, shorter problem and how they overcame it.

What is the issue with cliché one-dimensional reflections in essays, according to Kevin Zensei?

Cliché one-dimensional reflections are unoriginal and do not provide depth or insight into the student's personal growth or learning, making the essay less impactful.

How can students make their reflections more interesting and avoid clichés?

Students can make their reflections more interesting by taking common values and fusing them together in a unique way, or by flipping a cliché on its head to provide a fresh perspective.

What service does Kevin Zensei offer for students who need help with their essays?

Kevin Zensei offers essay editing services through his website, www.elevated.school, where students can upload their essays for professional feedback and editing.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Common App Essay Mistakes and Solutions

Kevin Zensei introduces himself as a professional college counselor and shares insights on common mistakes made in college application essays. He emphasizes focusing on one or two key aspects of a core theme rather than trying to mention every activity or award. He warns against 'resume dumping,' where students merely restate their achievements in the essay. Instead, he suggests writing about personal growth or unique perspectives. Kevin also discusses the importance of maintaining a proper problem-solution ratio in the essay, advocating for a narrative that showcases the student's proactive role and contributions. Lastly, he mentions the availability of his editing services for students.

05:02

🛠 Overcoming Common App Essay Pitfalls

The second paragraph delves into specific strategies to avoid common pitfalls in essay writing. Kevin advises against abruptly shifting from problem to solution without a clear transition, recommending the inclusion of intermediate steps and a second, brief problem to illustrate determination. He provides an example of a beach cleanup essay that uses a double problem-solution framework to demonstrate creativity and perseverance. Kevin also addresses the issue of clichéd reflections, suggesting a more nuanced approach that combines multiple values into a unique insight. He invites students to seek professional help for their essays through his website, offering a quick turnaround for feedback.

Keywords

💡Common App Essay

The 'Common App Essay' refers to the personal statement that students submit as part of the Common Application, a platform used by many U.S. colleges and universities for undergraduate admissions. In the video, Kevin Zensei emphasizes the importance of not overstuffing this essay with every detail of one's life but rather focusing on one or two key aspects of a core theme or principle, as exemplified by his own viral Common App essay focusing on selflessness and vulnerability.

💡Personal Growth

Personal growth is a central theme in the video, highlighting the importance of discussing one's development and learning experiences in the essay. It is related to the video's theme by illustrating how students should focus on their internal journey and transformation rather than merely listing achievements. An example from the script is the suggestion to write about failures or moments of weakness and how they were overcome, which showcases personal growth.

💡Resume Dump

A 'Resume Dump' is a term used in the video to describe the mistake of students simply reiterating their achievements and awards in the essay, which is seen as arrogant and ineffective. It is crucial to the video's message as it advises against regurgitating one's resume and instead encourages focusing on personal experiences and growth that cannot be found elsewhere in the application.

💡Problem-Solution Ratio

The 'Problem-Solution Ratio' is a concept introduced by Kevin to guide students on how to structure their essays, emphasizing the need to balance discussion of challenges with actions taken to address them. It is integral to the video's theme as it advises students to spend no more than a third of the essay on the problem, reserving the majority for their solutions and reflections.

💡Leadership Experience

Leadership experience is highlighted in the video as a valuable aspect to include in the essay, showcasing a student's ability to make things happen and contribute positively. It ties into the video's theme by advising students to articulate what they can bring to the college community through their demonstrated solutions and contributions.

💡Eureka Problem

The 'Eureka Problem' refers to an abrupt and unrealistic shift from problem to solution in an essay, which can come across as insincere. The video advises against this by suggesting a gradual development of the solution over time, with specific examples of steps taken, thus adding depth and credibility to the narrative.

💡Cliche Reflections

Cliche reflections are criticized in the video for being one-dimensional and unoriginal. The script advises students to avoid generic statements like 'I learned the value of hard work' and instead fuse interesting values together to create a more profound and unique reflection, thus enhancing the essay's impact.

💡Creative Problem Solving

Creative problem solving is showcased in the video as a powerful approach to essay writing, where mundane topics are flipped on their head to reveal new insights. An example given is turning trash into artwork and selling it online, demonstrating both creativity and problem-solving skills.

💡Intellectual Concepts

Intellectual concepts are mentioned in the video as elements that can enrich the essay, particularly in the supplements, where Kevin advises referencing ideas like magical realism and global diplomacy. These concepts add depth and demonstrate the student's intellectual curiosity and engagement with complex ideas.

💡Ivy League

The Ivy League refers to a group of eight prestigious universities in the United States, often considered the pinnacle of higher education. In the video, Kevin mentions that his students have been accepted into every Ivy League school, using this as a testament to the effectiveness of the essay writing advice he provides.

💡Additional Information Section

The 'Additional Information Section' is a part of the college application where students can share any extenuating circumstances or obstacles they've faced. The video suggests using this section to detail significant challenges, while focusing the essay on solutions and personal contributions.

Highlights

Kevin Zensei is a professional college counselor who has edited hundreds of college essays and helped students get into their dream schools.

Kevin discusses the five most common Common App essay mistakes to avoid.

Mistake number one is packing everything into the personal statement, which should focus on one or two key aspects of a core theme.

Kevin's own Common App essay focused on selflessness and vulnerability by sharing his experience working in his parents' Chinese restaurant.

The second mistake is the resume dump, where students re-explain their achievements in the essay instead of focusing on personal growth.

Essays should revolve around family, personal growth, or mundane topics flipped in a unique way, like the famous Costco essay.

Avoid writing about cliché topics such as winning tournaments or performing at recitals.

Writing about failures or moments of weakness and how they were overcome can be more powerful.

The third mistake is the problem-solution ratio, where students spend too much time on the problem rather than their actions.

Kevin advises reserving at least 40-50% of the essay for the solution and 20-30% for reflection.

Exceptions can be made for students who have faced significant obstacles, but the focus should still be on solutions and contributions.

The fourth mistake is the 'Eureka' problem, where students abruptly shift from problem to solution without showing the process.

To fix this, include the steps taken over time and possibly introduce a secondary problem to show determination and perseverance.

The fifth and final mistake is cliché, one-dimensional reflections that do not add depth to the essay.

Kevin suggests taking cliché reflections and flipping them to add creativity and depth, such as turning removal into creation.

Kevin offers professional essay editing services for students through his website, www.elevated.school.

The video concludes with a call to action for likes and subscriptions, and a personal note from Kevin about his upcoming birthday.

Transcripts

hello there my friends I'm Kevin zensei

Exeter grad Yale grad YouTuber great

dancer and I also happen to be a

professional college counselor that's

edited hundreds of college essays and

helped dozens of students get into their

dreams School in fact just last year

more than 40 of our students from every

background imaginable ranging from

public school students in Florida to

boarding school students in the

Northeast to International students from

India Latin America Canada you name it

collectively they were accepted into

every single ivy league and top 20

school today I'll be sharing some of

those tips which have helped our

students in the past because we'll be

talking about the five most common

common app essay mistakes make sure you

watch to the end though because the last

two are by far the most important

mistake number one packing everything

into the personal statement note that

your common app essay is just one

instrument in an orchestra you don't

need to talk about every activity or

award You've Won here nor should you in

fact one of the best winning strategies

is just focus on one or two key aspects

of a Core theme or principle you're

trying to communicate for instance in my

own viral emo Common App essay I focused

on selflessness and vulnerability by

admitting how honestly I wanted to quit

when I was working you know 12 hours at

my parents Chinese restaurant every day

but ultimately I stuck through and

persevered knowing that I was focusing

on a more personal dimension in my

common app essay I made sure to

reference tons of intellectual Concepts

and ideas in my supplements like magical

realism and Global diplomacy since I was

applying to be a creative writing and

international relations major this leads

us to our second common mistake the

resume dump too often I see students

just regurgitate or re-explain their

awards and achievements in their common

app essay huge mistake not only is this

rather arrogance and cringe it kind of

defeats the purpose of the essay itself

which is to highlight experiences that

can't be found anywhere else in your

application or your activities list

personally I prefer reading about essays

which revolve around family and personal

growth or as these which take a mundane

topic or idea that are able to flip it

on its head like the famous Costco essay

which I'll link below now I'm not saying

that you can't write about your

activities or extracurriculars at all of

course you can I'm just saying focus on

your personal growth rather than

centering an entire narrative around

some crowning achievement like winning a

tournament or performing at a recital in

fact those are actually some of the

worst most cliche topics imaginable so

avoid those like the plague instead if

you could share your failures or moments

of weakness and explain how you overcame

them that would actually be far more

powerful moving on to problem number

three which is a mistake that I see over

90 percent of seniors make the problem

solution ratio basically this is when

students spend the majority of their

essay talking about things happening to

them as opposed to them making things

happen please please please avoid this

I've already spoken about this topic in

detail in another video so be sure to

check that one out but just to recap

you're going to want to make sure that

no more than a third of your essay is

related to the problem then Reserve at

least forty to fifty percent for your

solution and then the final twenty to

thirty percent should be for your

reflection the one exception to this

rule would be if you had to overcome

some really insane obstacles like truly

significant medical or financial

challenges some examples of these would

be serving as the primary caretaker of a

sick member of your family or having the

electricity or water turned off on you

guys because you couldn't afford to pay

for utilities but even then I would

still advise you guys to focus on your

Solution on your impact on your

contributions rather than the problem

itself why the reason is because you can

actually share these obstacles you face

in another part of your application the

additional information section

ultimately the Common App essay is being

used to figure out what kind of

Community member you'll be so your job

is to articulate exactly what you can

bring to the table and the way we do

that is by referencing your previous

leadership experience and your

demonstrated solution

[Music]

thank you

all right friends I hope you enjoyed

that little break I also wanted to

mention that we are available to edit

your essays and we're even taking on

scholarship kids this application cycle

so if you would like to work with us or

receive our help please visit our

website

www.elevated.school get started all

right back to business mistake number

four is what we call the Eureka problem

this is when a student abruptly shifts

from their problem to their solution and

they just claim all of a sudden out of

nowhere I just figured it out even if

this is how it actually happened it

still sounds pretty unbelievable and I

don't mean that in a good way now to fix

this all you have to do is say something

like there was no overnight solution it

took weeks even months of and then you

would elaborate and insert specific

examples measures of steps you took

usually at least two or three something

good to include here would be to

actually introduce a very short second

problem just one or two sentences is

enough then elaborate on how you you

overcame that too this would showcase

determination and perseverance in the

face of trials and tribulations for

instance let's pretend that you were

writing an essay about a beach cleanup

you start by sharing your first problem

which was seeing the dirty Beach so then

your initial solution was to recruit

folks to help you clean up the trash but

then you found out you couldn't get

enough volunteers because let's be

honest I mean who wants to be in the sun

picking up plastic bottles on a Sunday

morning so your second solution was even

more creative you told your friends that

you guys would take the trash and

upcycle it by turning it into artwork

and then in true capitalist fashion sell

it online for a profit this double

problem solution template is one of our

favorite Frameworks and it works like H

charm and finally issue number five

which makes me wanna face palm every

time I read it cliche one-dimensional

Reflections through this experience I

learned the value of hard work and

determination starting my own non-profit

taught me the importance of community

this nonsense well it's very simple

we're going to take two or three really

interesting values and then fuse them

together now using the environmental art

example from before we could take a

mundane reflection like you know this

experience taught me creative problem

solving and upgrade it to something like

this cleaning up a beach is not just an

act of removal it's an opportunity for

creation a way to promote both awareness

and artistic expression now notice what

we did there we actually took the cliche

and then just flipped it on its head by

going from removal to Creation

admittedly this is pretty tough for

students to do on their own so if you

are looking for professional help again

please don't hesitate to contact us you

can actually just upload your essay here

to

www.elevated.school edit my essay and

we'll help you you'll get feedback back

within two or three days all right my

friends that's it for today thank you so

so much for your time for your attention

and I hope to see you in our next video

don't forget to like And subscribe this

month it's my birthday and I would

really appreciate your love and support

as my presence I genuinely hope you

found this content useful helpful and I

wish you the absolute best of luck in

this application cycle alright take it

easy guys peace

foreign